Multi-way convalescent pillow



7 June 15; 1965 1'. E. WATSON MULTI-WAY CONVALESCENT PILLOW .2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. TALMAQE E. Wan-son Filed Dec. 20, 1963 UnitedStates Patent 3,188,662 MULTI-WAY CONVALESCENT PILLOW Talmage E. Watson,816 Wilaford Ave., Ruston, La. Filed Dec. 20, 1%3, Ser. No. 332,026Claims. (Cl. 5-327) This invention relates to a multi-way convalescentpillow or portable backrest.

An object of the present invention is to provide a multiway convalescentpillow which lends itself to ready adaptation to supporting a patient ina plurality of different reclining positions or in a reposing position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-wayconvalescent pillow which is capable of supporting a patient, whileconfined in bed, in a plurality of different reclining positions or in areposing position.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a multi-wayconvalescent pillow which comprises a framework construction which iscapable of being shiftable, with ease and facility, to positions ofsupporting a patient in a plurality of different reclining positions orin a reposing position or to a position of collapse. Other objects andadvantages of the instant invention will become apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the pillow according to the presentinvention in a position for supporting the body of a patient in areclining position at a particular angle.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the pillow of FIG- URE 1, but in aposition for supporting the body of a patient in a reclining position ata different angle to that of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the pillow of FIGURE 1 in a positionfor supporting the body of a patient in a reposing position.

FIGURE 4 is afragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIGURE1.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary view taken on the line 66 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view, with a part broken away, takenon the line 77 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the pillow of FIGURE 1, but in acollapsed position.

' Referring to the drawings, the pillow of the present invention isshown as a unitary frame construction and comprised of a first openframe 11? and a second open frame 12 connected at 32 to the frame forpivotal movement between a collapsed position upon the frame 10, asshown in FIGURE 8, to a position in which the frame 12 extends in avertical sloping direction with respect to the frame 10, as shown inFIGURES 1 and 2.

The first open frame 10 consists of a pair of elongated,longitudinally-obtuse, side members 14 arranged in lateral spacedrelation, each of the side members being crooked to a like extent, as at15', to thereby divide the 1 members into a first portion 16 and asecond portion 17. That is, the two crooked portions 16, 17, along theirground-contacting edge, form an angle which is longitudinally obtuse orgreater than 180. A bight 18 extends between and is secured to the freeends of the second portion 17 of the side members 14. A first brace 19extends between and is attached to the second portion 17 of the sidemembers 14. Projecting from the free ends of the first portion 16 of theside members 14 are sloping extensions 20, and extending between theextensions 20 and the adjacent second portions 17 and attached theretoare arm rests 21. A second brace 22 "ice extends between and is attachedto the portions of the rests 21 adjacent the second portion 17 of theside members 14.

The second open frame 12 consists of a pair of elongated standards 25arranged in lateral spaced relation, and a U-shaped member 26 isdisposed on one side of the standards 25 with a bight 27 extendingcrosswise of and spaced from the standards and legs 28 substantiallyperpendicular to and [fixedly attached to the standards .25 adjacent toand spaced from one of the complemented ends of the standards. Along theouter margin of the pivoted frame 12, an inwardly-bowed support rest 29proje'cts from each of the complemental one ends of the standards 25 andhas "a free end fixedly attached to. the bight 27 of the member 26. Anapron 30, shown in the form Cif a plurality of crossed webbing strips,extends between and covers substantially the entire length of thestandards 25, tforming a backing surface.

The second frame 112 is arranged so that the portions of the standards25 adjacent the other ends thereof overlie, FIGURE 8, the first port-ion'16 of the side members 14 of the first frame 10 with the other endsadjacent to and spaced from the cracking 715 of the side members 14.Means, indicated by the numeral 32, pivotally connects the other ends ofthe standards 25 to the first portion 16 of the side members *14 of thefirst frame 10 for movement of the second frame 12 from the position inwhich the aforesaid portions of its standards 25 overlie the firstportions 26 of the side members "14 to a position in which the standards'25 extend in a vertical sloping direction leaning toward the secondportion 17 of the side members 14 of the [first frame 10, FIGURES 1, 2and 5.

Stop means in the form of projecting pins 33 are on the arm rests 21 ofthe first fname 10 which are engageable with the standards 25 of thesecond frame 12 and the standards 25 extend in a vertical slopingdirection leaning toward the second portion 17 of the side members '14,FIGURES 1, 2 and 5, for holding the second frame 12 in a slopingdirection position.

The thus described unitary frame construction is positionable so thatthe first or second portions, 16 or 17, of the side members 14 of thefirst frame 10 rest upon a supporting surface, FIGURES 1 and 5, orFIGURE 2, with the standards 25 and apron 30 carried thereby extendingin 'an upwardly-sloping direction and the standards 25 engaging the stopmeans 33 to thereby support the body of a patient in a recliningposition in either of two different angles and rest his arms upon thearm rests 21 when in said reclining position.

A first strap means indicated by the numeral 35 is provided, and suchmeans extends between and is se'curable to the extensions 20 of thefirst portion 16 of the first frame '10 when the [first portion 16 ofthe side members 14 rests upon a supporting sunface, FIGURES 1 and 5, tothereby engage the underneath upper portions of the legs of a patientwhen his body is supported in a reclining position, thereby providing arudimentary seating element for the frame 10. Specifically, the strapmeans is in the form of a strap and has its end portions wrapped aboutthe extensions 20 and releasab-ly secured to the extensions by means ofanchor pins 36 provided on the extensions.

The thus described unitary frame construction is swingable backward lyfrom the position in which the first portion 16 of the side members 14of the first frame 10 rests upon a supporting surface with the standards25 and apron 30 carried thereby extending in an upwardly-slopingdirection leaning toward the second portion 17, the position shown inFIGURES l and 5, to a position in which the support rest 29 of thesecond frame .12 and the bight 1'8 connecting the second portions '17 ofthe first frame 11) rest upon a supporting surface, the position of FIG-A second strap mean-s designated by the numeral 38 is v is alsoprovided, and such means extend-s between and is securable to the firstportion 16 of the name 10 when the support rest 29 of the frame12 andthe bight' 18 con neoting the second portions of the first frame 10 restupon a supporting sunfac'e, the position of FIGURE 3, to thereby afforda backing for a head support like a pillow (indicated in broken lines),when the bodyof a patient is supported in the reposing position.Specific-ally, the strap means embodies an elongated strap which has itsends portionswrappcd about the first portions 16 and releasably securedto the first portions by 'meansof anchor pins 39 provided 'on the firstpontions '16 st the side members 14 ofthe trame 10. v i i r a aWhatiscl-aimedis: 7 a t 1 1. A multiway pillow comprising a unitaryframe conbody of a patient-in a 7' stru'ction including a first openframe consisting of a pair of enlongate'd' side members arranged inlateral spaced relation, each of said side members being crooked to alike extent to thereby divide said member into a first portion and asecond portion, a bight extending between and secured to the free endsof-the second portions of said ,v

side members, a first brace extending between and at; taohed to thesecond portions of said side members, a sloping extension projectingtromthe free end of each of the first portions of said sidemembe-rs, anarmrest extending between each of said extensions and the ad'- jacentsecond portion and attached thereto, and a second brace extendingbetween and-attached to the portions of said rests adjacent the secondportions of said side members, a second open frame consisting of a pairof elongated standards arranged in lateral spaced relation, a U- shapedmember disposedon one side-of said standards with the bright extendingcrosswise and spaced from said standards and the legs substantiallyperpendicular to and fixed-1y attached to said standards adjacenttoand'spaced from one of the complemental end-s ofsaid standards, an

inwardly-bowed support rest projecing from each of said one ends of saidstandards and having the free end fixedly attached to the bight of saidmember, and anlapron ex-, tending between and covering substantiallythefientire length of said standards, said'second frame being arrangedso that the portions of said standards adjacent the other ends thereofoverlie the first portions of-said side members with the other endsadjacent to and spaced from the crook: 'ing of said side members, meanspivotal'ly. connecting the other ends of said standards to the firstportions ofsaid'side members for movement of: said second, frame fromthe position in which the aforesaid portionsof its standards overlie thefirst portions ofsaid side members to a position' in which the standardsextend to -a vertical sloping direction leaning toward thesecondtportio'n-s of said side members of said first frame, and stopmeans on the arm rests of said first frame and engageable with thestandards of said second frame when the standards extend in the verticalsloping direction leaningtoward the second POT-r in the slopingdirection position, said construction being positionable so that thefirst orsecond portions of said side members rest upon a supportingsurf-ace with the standards and aproncarried thereby extending in an upttions of said-side members for holding the second frame 1wardly-sl-oping direction and the standards engaging said' stop meanstoth'ereby support the body of a patient in a reclining position ineither of two different angles and rest his arms upon the arm rests whenin said reclining posi tion, and said construction being swingalble'backwardly t from the position which the first portions rest upon athereby extending-in an upwardly-sloping direction leaning toward thesecond portions and the standards engaging said stop means to a positionin which the support rests of said second frame and the bight connectingthe second portions to said first cfrarne rests upon a supportingsunfacejto thereby support the bodyof a patient in a reposingposition.

2. The pillow according to claim 1 which includes in addition a firststrapmeans extending between and securable to the extensions of saidfirst portions when thefirst portions of said first frame rest upon a'supporting'surface to thereby engage the underneath upper portions ofthe legs of apatient when his'body is supported in a reclining position.t I t v 3. The pillow according to claim 1 which includes in addition asecond strap means extending between and securable to the first portionsof said first frame when the support res'ts'iof said'sec-ond frame andthelbight 00111156111 1 disposed to each other }at an external, anglegreaterthan so as to locate the unit at alternately tiltalble,lforeand-aft,.use positions, f i

and a se'condlfirame pivota'llyv joined crosswise to and v,upstandingrfrom saidfirst frame intermediate the length of the firstframe and movable'between a use position upstandingtherefrom and analternate collapsed position adjacent the first frame.

. said first frame having a jcrosswise-disposed seating element and thesecond tframe providing a backing sun-face tunctional-ly disposable inconjunction therewith when the first frame is in'either of said tiltedpositions and the secondframe is upstanding therethe margin of saidsecond frame which is outward [from its pivoted connection beingprovided, opposite said backing surface, with ground-support meansadapted (upon said backing sun afie being disposed in a third positionoverlying a'supportin-gsunt'ace) tolocate it spaced above saidsupport-ing'sur-face with the first frame'then disposed upstandingrelative thereto and -with the-lower end of the latter beingground-supported and i-tsi upper end providing headspace betweensaidlaterally-separatedside mernbers for a person reposing on the backingsurface of the second tframe. t i

'5; The unit orf-the preceding claim 4 wherein the side members of saidfirst frame are each lformed with upstanding arm rests andsaid secondframe which is pivotally joined to the first [frame is outward-1yembraced by the first tfirame and thus is pivotally movable from thecollapsed position wherein it is receivable between said arm rests, andthe use position upstandingtheretrom.

ReferencesCited by the Examiner UNITED STATES BATENTS B. SHERRY; PrimaryExaminer.

1. A MULTI-WAY PILLOW COMPRISING A UNITARY FRAME CONSTRUCTION INCLUDINGA FIRST OPEN FRAME CONSISTING OF A PAIR OF ELONGATED SIDE MEMBERSARRANGED IN LATERAL SPACED RELATION, EACH OF SAID SIDE MEMBERS BEINGCROOKED TO A LIKE EXTENT TO THEREBY DIVIDE SAID MEMBER INTO A FIRSTPORTION AND A SECOND PORTION, A BIGHT EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID SECURED TOTHE FREE ENDS OF THE SECOND PORTIONS OF SAID SIDE MEMBERS, A FIRST BRACEEXTENDING BETWEEN AND ATTACHED TO THE SECOND PORTIONS OF SAID SIDEMEMBERS, A SLOPING EXTENSION PROJECTING FROM THE FREE END OF EACH OF THEFIRST PORTIONS OF SAID SIDE MEMBERS, AN ARM REST EXTENDING BETWEEN EACHOF SAID EXTENSIONS AND THE ADJACENT SECOND PORTION AND ATTACHED THERETO,AND A SECOND BRACE EXTENDING BETWEEN AND ATTACHED TO THE PORTIONS OFSAID RESTS ADJACENT THE SECOND PORTIONS OF SAID SIDE MEMBERS, A SECONDOPEN FRAME CONSISTING OF A PAIR OF ELONGATED STANDARDS ARRANGED INLATERAL SPACED RELATION, A USHAPED MEMBER DISPOSED ON ONE SIDE OF SAIDSTANDARDS WITH THE BIGHT EXTENDING CROSSWISE AND SPACED FROM SAIDSTANDARDS AND THE LEGS SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO AND FIXEDLYATTACHED TO SAID STANDARDS ADJACENT TO AND SPACED FROM ONE OF THECOMPLEMENTAL ENDS OF SAID STANDARDS, AN INWARDLY-BOWED SUPPORT RESTPROJECTING FROM EACH OF SAID ONE ENDS OF SAID STANDARDS AND HAVING THEFREE END FIXEDLY ATTACHED TO THE BIGHT OF SAID MEMBER, AND AN APRONEXTENDING BETWEEN AND COVERING SUBSTANTIALLY THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF SAIDSTANDARDS, SAID SECOND FRAME BEING ARRANGED SO THAT THE PORTIONS OF SAIDSTANDARDS ADJACENT THE OTHER ENDS THEREOF OVERLIE THE FIRST PORTIONS OFSAID SIDE MEMBERS WITH THE OTHER ENDS ADJACENT TO AND SPACED FROM THECROOKING OF SAID SIDE MEMBERS, MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING THE OTHER ENDSOF SAID STANDARDS TO THE FIRST PORTIONS OF SAID SIDE MEMBERS FORMOVEMENT OF SAID SECOND FRAME FROM THE POSITION IN WHICH THE AFORESAIDPORTIONS OF ITS STANDARDS OVERLIE THE FIRST PORTIONS OF SAID SIDE EMBERSTO A POSITION IN WHICH THE STANDARDS EXTEND TO A VERTICAL SLOPING